So, you've finally gotten your first (and hopefully last) negative review online. Although disappointing, think of this as an opportunity that will allow you to grow professionally and show others that you care and are willing to make changes to satisfy legitimate complaints. A diplomatic response may even secure new clients. Follow these tips to put your best foot forward:read more>

There is nothing as big as the internet. The boundaries online don't exist and the possibilities are endless. There are so many messages to compete with and so many places to make your mark; marketing in today's digital world can seem like a daunting task.
With so many places potential clients are going online to talk about their experiences with brands and services they use, it's important to narrow down where you focus your digital efforts, what your message will be, and know why you're there in the first place. read more>

One of the most important tasks a business owner is faced with is not only getting clients to walk in the door, but retaining them as well. Marketing is always a challenge and the result of poor advertising can be catastrophic, especially in today's modern world where exposure is critical. In contrast, efficient marketing, knowing your demographic, and keeping up with technology are extremely beneficial and will help keep your business booming. read more>

What is the initial advice you give to someone contemplating the use of social media to market themselves or their products? First and foremost is their mindset … to never forget the essence of social media is being social, not selling. Sounds simple, no? So how come so many individuals and companies don't get that? What we do when we are being social is to tell stories, share helpful information, entertain, inspire, motivate, make people feel good, make 'em laugh, etc. read more>

Excellence is a beautiful thing to behold, but what is it? It is that rare state when all things converge flawlessly into a product, service or experience. It is the culmination of innovation, fierce attention to detail, finely honed systems, discipline and accountability to a desired end result. And once it is achieved, that state of excellence is admired, and sought after. read more>

Social media is one of the most popular platforms for gaining new clients, strengthening relationships with your current customers and team, and making a name for yourself in the beauty industry and your community. In fact, it's so important today that The Stylist is devoting this entire issue to helping you succeed with your social media strategy and tactics. Beyond creating your content, here are tips to help you kick off a new campaign or build on your current efforts. read more>

The Term "Social Media" May Be New,
But The Concept Has Been Around For Years. After 40 years in the beauty industry, talking about using new technology and social media to grow your business seems foreign to me. When I read a post about someone's experience at a salon, it is rarely about technology; rather it is about the human side of their experience they are writing about. read more>

Computers and digital technology have completely changed the way we market ourselves to consumers. While it used to be all about television, radio, print newsletters, yellow pages in the phonebook, etc., now most of our marketing has taken on a digital twist. read more>

In the hair world, much of what we do is highly visible: in the mirror, on the street and certainly online. So it makes perfect sense to share photos (and videos) of our work to help generate more referrals. Consider this: According to the Pew Research Center, 57 percent of all American adults and 73 percent of American teens use Facebook. read more>

In today's day and age it seems everyone is posting, tweeting, blogging, texting and, yes, still emailing. By now most salons and spas are using multiple social media platforms to promote their business and build their network. Like most trends that become a standard way of doing business, social media and internet marketing strategies are not only embedded in our culture, the technology just keeps getting better and more scalable. To keep up with this rapid technological growth, salon and spa businesses must invest more time and resources into it.read more>

In today's world, when someone thinks about using your services or just wants to know more about you, they will Google you, look you up on Facebook or Instagram and find out what you are all about before they even call you. While this may sound like a scary prospect, we can use it to our advantage if we know how to market in this digital age. read more>